Cigarette rod making machine



Sept. '23, 1958 w. DUPKE CIGARETTE ROD MAKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5; 1956 In z/ere tar.- Werner, Dupk J7! arneys.

CIGARETTE ROD MAKING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J7? 0'97? fol '2' Z'eri? er Ell/9Z8 Jtfaiweys,

United States Patent.

2,853,079 CIGARETTE ROD MAKING Werner Dupke, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany, assignor to Kurt Korber & C0. K. G., Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Application April 5, 1956, Serial No. 576,451

Claims priority, application Germany April 9, 1955 6 Claims. (Cl. 131-66) This invention relates to cigarette rod making machines in general, and more particularly, to an improved tobacco rod former therefor.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved tobacco rod former for a cigarette making machine in which improved uniformity of the shredded tobacco as it is enclosed in the paper is obtained.

Another object of the invention is to improve cigarette rod making machines so that an improved product is obtained with the tobacco uniformly filling the cigarettes and with the avoidance of air pockets in the finished cigarettes.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved tobacco rod former in which the tobacco is not compressed under pressure prior to its entrance into the former so that it loses its filling capability.

Yet a further object of the invention is to associate a moving tape with a tobacco rod former, constituting a portion of the wall thereof, so that the shredded tobacco is uniformly packed and of uniform density in the finished cigarette.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve the making of cigarettes with a uniform density of shredded tobacco therein without loss of manufacturing speed.

As well known in the cigarette making art, it has been customary to deposit the cut tobacco by means of a distributor in loose shredded form upon a tobacco conveyor band, which moves in a U-shaped channel, or trough. Upon further movement the tobacco passes over a short chute upon a cigarette paper strip, the latter being carried along by a moving forming band. From here the tobacco reaches the rod former, a generally funnel-shaped member. Because of the generally conical semi-cylindrical shape of the former, the tobacco is compressed to the desired extent necessary to reach the requisite diameter and desired density necessary for the finished cigarettes. Following this operation, the cigarette paper is fed into the former and wrapped around the compressed tobacco strand, and glued thereabout by known devices, and the enclosed tobacco rod is conveyed to a cutting machine, where the desired length of cigarettes are cut.

It occasionally happens, however, that at the extremely high speed of modern cigarette making machines that uniformity of the tobacco packing is not achieved, with consequent variations in the density of the tobacco in the finished tobacco rod. These variations result from the differences in the loading of the tobacco by the distributor upon the tobacco conveyor band. A number of suggestions have been made to eliminate this variable distribution of the shredded tobacco, which may be observed in the finished cigarettes. These variations also have an adverse effect upon the filling and the weight distribution of the tobacco.

The arrangement according to the present invention eliminates the foregoing disadvantages by providing one part of the wall of the rod former itself adaptable to be movable in the direction of the tobacco flow. Thus, for

instance, the rod former is divided into two parts, a frontsection and a rear-section. In order to reduce the dis advantageous effect of friction on the inner rear surface of the rear-section of the rod former, which results'in a variable filling, a movable tape, which preferably runs faster than the forming band, is employed. This tape equalizes the variable distribution of the conveyed tobacco. It may be made of metal or other appropriate material. In addition, according to the present invention, the rear-section of the rod former, together with the driving wheel for the movable tape, are disposed in such relation that the rear-section may rotate about the center of the driving Wheel. It is thus possible, in case of unavoidable disturbances in the conveying of the tobacco, or of the cigarette paper disposed therebeneath, to easily compensate for these disturbances. Preferably the frontsection of the rod former is short, and is adjustably connected in a conventional manner with the inlet of the forming arrangement.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

occur. tributed and packed into the former, and the cigarettes Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, and somewhat schematic, of the improved rod former of my invention; and,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line IIII of Fig. 1, drawn to a somewhat larger scale.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 1 designates shredded tobacco deposited upon an endless conveyor band 2 of a cigarette rod making machine 3 by a tobacco distributing device, not shown. The conveyor band 2 runs within a forming channel 4. The tobacco 1 is conveyed by the conveyor band 2 in the direction of the arrow 5, and passes across a band plate 6 over a tobacco chute 7 upon a cigarette paper band 8.

The cigarette paper band 8 runs over a roller 10 and is carried by an endless forming band 11. The tobacco 1 moves in a channel 12 under a rod former 14, and is compressed in the direction of movement to a crosssection, which is determined by the form of the Walls of the channel 12.

The bottom part of the rod former 14 is formed by a channel or trough 15, together with the forming band 11 and the cigarette paper band 8 therein. The forming band 11 cooperates with a folding device 16, in which the paper band 8 is folded about the formed tobacco rod 17.

According to the present invention, the rod former 14 is constructed of two parts, and consists of a short frontsection 18, which is stationary, but adjustably connected, as at 19, to the machine structure 3. The rod former 14 also includes a rear-section 20, within which at the upper rear part thereof runs an endless metallic tape 21. This endless tape 21 passes over a small roller 30 and then over a larger driving roller 34 rotating about the axis 34a. The metallic tape 21 eliminates the irregularities or variations in the tobacco rod 17, such as air pockets, etc. This action occurs during the last moment, just before the paper band 8 is Wrapped or folded around the tobacco rod 17 in the former. Following this, no further variations in the density of the tobacco rod can In other words, the tobacco is uniformly disthereafter will have a perfectly uniform filling.

Preferably the rod former 14 is so divided that the front section 18 thereof is one third of the entire length of the former, While the rear section 20 comprises theremaining two thirds the total length of the rod former 14. Instead of utilizing a metallic tape 21, an endless tape made of plastic, or plastic fabric can be used, as long as the tape has a perfectly smooth surface.

The rear-section 20 of the former comprises two wedge-shaped members 22, 23 (Fig. 2), which are connected by a cross plate 24, and are adjustable by bolts 25 in a longitudinal and vertical direction. It is thus possible to adjust, over a wide range, the cross-sectional area of the formed tobacco rod 17. Two side plates 26, 27 limit and define the inner space of the rear-section 20 of the former from the sides. They are screwed to the wedge-shaped members 22, 23, and can, therefore, also be adjusted in a longitudinal and vertical direction. They preferably are so adjusted that their lower edges are close to the paper band 8, and thus prevent any side waste of small amounts of tobacco, which would adversely effect the clean gluing of the tobacco paper on the gluing edge thereof. The lower edge of the crossplate 24, which faces the metallic tape 21, has attached thereto a Wear resisting bar 28 of tough material.

The rear-section 20, together with the cross plate 24, is supported upon a support arm 29, the latter also carrying the small roller 30 and additional tensioning rollers 31, 32 for the tape 21. An operating lever 33 is provided to effect swinging rotation of the assemblage about the axis 34a of the driving roller 34, which drives the metallic tape 21. This results in a ready control, and ompensates for any disturbance occurring in the tobacco .rod 17, on the paper band 8, etc. When the rear-section 20 is pressed downwardly, it comes to rest with its adjusting surfaces 35, which are provided at the front edges of the side plates 26, 27, aligning with a cooperating recess 36 of the front-section 18 of the rod former. The metallic tape 21 passes. through this opening 36 from the rear-section 20 of the rod former and is then directed to the small roller 30.

An outstanding advantage of the present invention is the elimination of the previously suggested devices for equalizing the variations of density of the tobacco in the rod, such as pressing discs, compressing rollers, or moving tapes, which were guided over roller and rails and consists of linen, or steel, and were provided with appropriate compressing and compacting elements. The present invention is, therefore, particularly advantageous in that the filling ability, or capacity, of the tobacco will be retained, since it is not subjected to any'particular pressure prior to its reaching the rod former.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that there is provided an improved tobacco rod former for a cigarette machine, which eliminates variations and non-uniformities in density of the tobacco shreds in the rod, and yet does not interfere with the filling capability of the shredded tobacco.

Although there has been shown and described a specific structure of a cigarette rod making machine, it is to be understood that the same has been described merely for the purpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

I. In a cigarette rod making machine, a tobacco rod former having an entrance end and a discharge end and comprising a first section and a second section, means for supporting and guiding a movable cigarette paper band in a path at the bottom of said tobacco rod former from the entrance end to the discharge end thereof, means for depositing tobacco on said cigarette paper band at said entrance end of the tobacco rod former, endles metallic band means forming the top wall in said first section of the tobacco rod former and extending longitudinally thereof, a drive pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in a fixed position in said machine, an arm pivotally mounted on the same axis as said drive pulley and extending longitudinally of said tobacco rod former above said first section thereof, a guide pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in said arm, means rigidly connecting said first section of the tobacco rod former with said arm whereby said first section of the tobacco rod former participates in the pivotal movements of said arm, lateral guide means for said endless band means in said first section of the tobacco rod former, the inner end surfaces of said lateral guide means being concave in shape, and means for adjusting the position of said lateral guide means vertically, longitudinally, and in respect of longitudinal inclination.

2. In a cigarette rod making machine, a tobacco rod former having an entrance end and a discharge end and comprising a first section and a second section, means for supporting and guiding a movable cigarette paper band in a path at the bottom of said tobacco rod former from the entrance end to the discharge end thereof, means for depositing tobacco on said cigarette paper band at said entrance end of the tobacco rod former, endless metallic band means forming the top wall in said first section of the tobacco rod former and extending longitudinally thereof, a drive pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in a fixed position in said machine, an arm pivotally mounted on the same axis as said drive pulley and extending longitudinally of said tobacco rod former above said first section thereof, a guide pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in said arm, means rigidly connecting said first section of the tobacco rod former with said arm whereby said first section of the tobacco rod former participates in the pivotal movements of said arm, lateral guide means for said endless band means in said first section of the tobacco rod former, the inner end surfaces of said lateral guide means being concave in shape, means for adjusting the position of said lateral guide means vertically, longitudinally, and in respect of longitudinal inclination, and lateral wall members adjustably connected with said lateral guide means to serve as closure means for the spaces between said cigarette paper band and said lateral guide means.

3. In a cigarette rod making machine, a tobacco rod former having an entrance end and a discharge end and divided longitudinally into a first section and a second section, means for adjusting the position of said second section of the tobacco rod former longitudinally, means for supporting and guiding a movable cigarette paper band in a path at the bottom of said tobacco rod former from the entrance end to the discharge end thereof, means for depositing tobacco on said cigarette paper band at said entrance end of the tobacco rod former, endless metallic band means forming the top wall in said first section of the tobacco rod former and extending longitudinally thereof, a drive pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in a fixed position in said machine, an arm pivotally mounted on the same axis as said drive pulley and extending longitudinally of said tobacco rod former above said first section thereof, a guide pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in said arm, means rigidly connecting said first section of the tobacco rod former with said arm whereby said first section of the tobacco rod former participates in the pivotal movements of said arm, lateral guide means for said endless band means in said first section of the tobacco rod former, the inner end surfaces of said lateral guide means being concave in shape, and means for adjusting the position of said lateral guide means vertically, longitudinally, and in respect of longitudinal inclination.

4. In a cigarette rod making machine, a tobacco rod former having an entrance end and a discharge end and divided longitudinally into a first section and a second section, means for adjusting the position of said second section of the tobacco rod former longitudinally, means for supporting and guiding a movable cigarette paper band in a path at the bottom of said tobacco rod former from the entrance end to the discharge end thereof, means for depositing tobacco on said cigarette paper band at said entrance end of the tobacco rod former, endless metallic band means forming the top wall in said first section of the tobacco rod former and extending longitudinally thereof, a drive pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in a fixed position in said machine, an arm pivotally mounted on the same axis as said drive pulley and extending longitudinally of said tobacco rod former above said first section thereof, a guide pulley for said endless band means rotatably mounted in said arm, means rigidly connecting said first section of the tobacco rod former with said arm whereby said first section of the tobacco rod former participates in the pivotal movements of said arm, lateral guide means for said endless band means in said first section of the tobacco rod former, the inner end surfaces of said lateral guide means being concave in shape, means for adjusting the position of said lateral guide means vertically, longitudinally, and in respect of longitudinal inclination, and lateral wall members adjustably connected with said lateral guide means to serve as closure means for the spaces between said cigarette paper band and said lateral guide means.

5. In a cigarette making machine, tobacco rod forming mean comprising conveyor means for supporting and moving a tobacco carrying strip of cigarette paper along a substantially horizontal path, means defining a drive pulley mounted for rotation on a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to said path, an :arm, means mounting said arm for pivotal movement about said axis, means for adjusting the pivotal position of said arm, means defining a guide pulley, means mounting said guide pulley on said arm for rotation on an axis parallel with said firstmentioned axis, endless band means trained on said drive pulley and guide pulley and having a bight movable along said path at a distance above :and in the same direction as said strip of cigarette paper, elongated sup port means, means securing said support means to said arm with a lower guide surface on said support means in engagement with the upper surface of said bight of the endless band, means defining a guide member along each edge of said bight, said guide members extending below said support means and having the projecting portions concave'ly shaped on the sides thereof facing each other, means forming lateral shield members to substantially close the space between said guide members and said cigarette paper strip, and means securing said guide members and shield means to said support means in positions that are adjustable longitudinally as well as transversely and angularly in a vertical direction relative to each other and to said support means.

6. The structure as set forth in claim 16, including means defining an extension of said tobacco rod forming means in the direction of movement of the cigarette paper strip, and means adjustably mounting said extension means on the machine frame thereby to ensure a smooth joint between the rod forming means and said extension regardless of wear and of the adjusted position of said rod forming means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 555,418 Baron Feb. 25, 1896 2,103,721 Herrmann Dec. 28, 1937 2,149,924 Molins Mar. 7, 1939 2,163,414 Stephano June 20, 1939 2,671,452 Molins et al Mar. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 746,105 Great Britain Mar. 7, 1956 

